India Stakes Claim to Top Leadership Position at International Telecom Union

New Delhi: In a major step towards strengthening its influence in global telecommunications, India has nominated Ms. M. Revathi, Joint Wireless Advisor at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as its candidate for the position of Director at the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Radiocommunication Bureau. This nomination represents India’s most significant bid in decades to shape the governance of global radio spectrum management.

The ITU, a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Geneva, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, secure, and equitable functioning of global communication systems. Its Radiocommunication Bureau oversees the regulation of radio frequencies and satellite orbits—resources critical for emerging technologies such as 5G, 6G, space broadband, and disaster response. If elected, Ms. Revathi would be responsible for steering the development of future radiocommunication standards and ensuring fair access to these limited resources.

Her candidacy reflects India’s broader vision of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) and its commitment to promoting inclusive digital growth, especially for developing nations. Should she win, Ms. Revathi would not only be the first woman to lead the Bureau but also the first representative from ITU’s Regions E (Asia/Australasia) and D (Africa) to do so, regions that together represent over half of the world’s population.

With nearly three decades of experience in spectrum and satellite orbit management, Ms. Revathi has earned a reputation for driving regulatory innovations. She is currently a member of the ITU’s Radio Regulations Board, where she advocates for global equity in spectrum usage.

India’s growing role in global telecom governance was also highlighted by its successful hosting of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in October 2024 in New Delhi. The event saw a record participation of 3,700 delegates from over 150 countries. During the assembly, eight landmark resolutions were adopted, underscoring India’s increasing influence in shaping the future of global digital infrastructure.

The ITU, founded in 1865, coordinates global telecom systems through its three main sectors: ITU-T (Standardization), ITU-D (Development), and ITU-R (Radiocommunication). The Radiocommunication Bureau, which manages the global radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, plays a critical role in ensuring that different countries and technologies, from mobile networks to space missions, do not interfere with each other. This coordination is essential for everything from GPS and weather satellites to mobile phone networks and broadcasting.

India’s nomination of Ms. Revathi signifies its ambition to lead the charge in the global telecommunications arena, promoting a vision of digital equity and innovation.